MANSFIELD — The YMCA is bringing a Splash Park to Mansfield that should open in 2018, according to Cristen Gilbert, chief executive officer of the YMCA.
Gilbert made the announcement Wednesday morning during a press conference trumpeting the YMCA’s 150th project campaign. The highlight of that campaign includes building a 3,000 square-foot splash park which will be available to the public.
“Unfortunately we are down to one city pool at Liberty Park,” Gilbert said. “With Linden (Pool) closing, it really put a strain on families with small children. We’re taking them out of Richland County, so I think a need to keep families here and provide for our community is really exciting news.”
The YMCA will be contracting Rain Drop Products, LLC to help construct the park, she said.
“We do want a park-like setting so we will have more than just the splash pad, we will have a nice fence enclosing the area. We have had some donors interested in donating park benches,” Gilbert noted. “The landscaping will be taken care of — it’s going to be more of a park feel than just the water features.
“It’s amazing how they can take some of our ideas and make it a reality.”
It will cost an estimated $900,000 to complete the Splash Park and three other projects noted in the campaign, including resurfacing the parking lot, refurbishing the gymnasium and expanding the reach of the Livestrong at the YMCA, a support program for cancer survivors and their families.
“We are on our way and hope to be completed (with the fundraising) by midway through this year,” Gilbert said.
